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Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha/8 or better) is often times viewed as one of the most difficult but favored poker variations. It is a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, aims for action from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once irrelevant variation, has increased in acceptance so amazingly.
Omaha/8 begins exactly like a normal game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A round of betting ensues in which gamblers can wager, check, or fold. Three cards are handed out, this is referred to as the flop. One more round of wagering happens. Once all the players have in turn called or folded, a further card is revealed on the turn. Another sequence of betting happens and then the river card is revealed. The entrants will need to put together the strongest high and low 5 card hands based on the board and hole cards.
This is the point where many players get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player has to use exactly three cards on the board, and precisely two hole cards. No more, no less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot could be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is exactly how it sounds. It is the best hand out of everyone’s, regardless if it is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same notion in nearly all poker games.
A lower hand is more complex, but really opens up the play. When determining a low hand, straights and flushes don’t count. A low hand is the worst hand that could be made, with the lowest value being A-2-3-4-5. Seeing as straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any five card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The lower hand wins half of the pot, as just like the higher hand. When there is no low hand available, the higher hand wins the whole pot.
Although it seems complicated initially, following a few hands you will be able to get the base subtleties of the game with ease. Since you have individuals betting for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting assortment of wagering possibilities and seeing that you have several players shooting for the high hand, and several shooting for the low. If you love a game with a lot of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to participate in Omaha 8 or better.
